Lamech Katamba, Albert Baker Fund Africa Programs Manager visited the ABF Office in Folsom, CA, in May and June 2025.  During his trip he made two presentations to the ABF Board of Trustees.  Videos of these presentations can be found below, along with 3 additional interview clips.

Presentations to the ABF Board

Thursday evening, May 1, 2025

Friday morning, May 2, 2025

Additional interviews with Lamech

ABF’s Impact in Africa

Lamech’s introduction to Christian Science

Lamech’s first Christian Science healing

De Neil Bibilas, living in Brazzaville in the Republic of the Congo, is currently embarking on her first year of studies in hotel and restaurant management. She acknowledges the integral financial assistance she’s received from The Albert Baker Fund (ABF) in pursuing this career path. In her studies, De Neil cherishes team spirit and building strong connections with customers; these aspects really bring her joy. A huge part of her motivation comes from the Christian Science teachings about loving and serving everyone. This foundation has filled her heart with compassion, inspiring her to commit daily acts of kindness and to live out the lessons she is learning in Sunday School.

De Neil’s relationship with ABF started when she learned about the organization’s commitment to financially support students of Christian Science. A fellow Sunday School student introduced her to ABF, which subsequently provided the essential financial support for her dream career in hotel and restaurant management. The practice of Christian Science has profoundly influenced De Neil’s approach to her studies, nurturing her drive to warmly welcome and serve individuals in alignment with Christ’s teachings. De Neil offers heartfelt gratitude for the role ABF is playing in her life, viewing the organization as a divine grace that propels students like her forward. She expresses deep appreciation for Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery of Christian Science, which has unveiled countless blessings in her life. De Neil shares, “I am so grateful to Christian Science and ABF for all they do for me and for us. I don’t know how to thank ABF enough. As it is written, ‘love is reflected in love.’”

At this special presentation, Joe Ritter, ABF CEO, will update you on his 5-week trip to six countries in Africa. Please join us on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 4:00-4:45 pm Pacific Time (5 pm MT, 6 pm CT, 7 pm ET). All are invited.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udeirqzovGdOBt5ton6tDHh8vomXUdH3E

Japhet Tekila – lives in Kinshasa (Japhet is in the center in the black Albert Baker signature hat)

March 15, 2023

Hi, All!

The ABF six-country tour of Africa has come to an end.  As I stated in an earlier email, understanding and explaining ABF’s programs in Africa is complicated.  Naturally beautiful – and also complex.  Also, please feel free to share this email with others.

Without a doubt, ABF is supporting tremendous good throughout the regions of Africa where we have programs.  ABF provides life changing scholarships to Christian Scientists who use their education and knowledge to bless themselves, their families, their communities, their churches, and sometimes even their counties.  Their stories are inspiring and clearly illuminate why ABF has these programs.  I look forward to sharing more of these stories with you over the coming year through the ABF website, social media posts, and a special Zoom meeting we will host in late April or May.  More details about the special Zoom meeting will be shared as they become available.

One such example is Japhet Tekila.  Japhet grew up in Christian Science and was able to attend the local CSO at the University of Kinshasa as a high school student, because his high school academic program let him take courses at the university while enrolled in high school.  Japhet went on to study law at the same University of Kinshasa with ABF’s support.  He has worked in Parliament and now works with the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo along with the President’s team. He advises on subjects related to international law.  Japhet has shared copies of Science & Health with others in the President’s office, when there has been an interest.  That said, Japhet also shared that it is not always easy to talk to others about Christian Science in the office of the President.  Japhet was empathic that his success is a result of what he has learned through Christian Science.

Mary Darlin from Nairobi is another great example.  Because there was no Christian Science church near where she grew up, Mary Darlin’s early exposure to Christian Science was through reading Christian Science books she received from her father  When her family moved to Nairobi, she joined the Christian Science Church in Nairobi and started attending Sunday School.  ABF supported Mary Darlin with her bachelor’s degree in actuarial science.  After completing an internship, she learned of a job opportunity from her former Sunday School teacher.  Within a week, Mary Darlin submitted her resume, interviewed, was hired, and started work at a company that supports transfer pricing with a focus on corporate income tax for multinational clients.  Although her bachelor’s degree is not directly related to her position, Mary Darlin’s strong work ethic and character led her to be promoted to Assistant Manager ahead of others at the company who had been there much longer.  Mary Darlin says, and I quote:  “Thank God for Christian Science!” and “Mind is not limited, so I am not either.”  What a joy to meet these ABF beneficiaries!

ABF is also providing life changing scholarships to Africans who united with their local Christian Science churches, but now represent a broad range in their practice of Christian Science. This is perhaps no different than elsewhere in the world.  These ABF beneficiaries are blessing themselves, their families, and their communities, but may not be active in their branch churches.  In some cases, their job requires them to live in a location that is hours away from the closest Christian Science church or society.

Unfortunately, attempted fraud within Africa has existed in that past and continues to exist.  Applicants who clearly do not meet the ABF criteria continue to apply for grants from ABF.  On a very positive note, ABF has a strong team supporting our African programs and has put many practices and processes into place to ensure we are reviewing authentic applications from practicing Christian Scientists. I really should say we have strong African teams, since each country (or region) essentially operates individually with Dominique and Lamech.  The ABF program in each country depends on our In-Country Representative (ICR) to validate applications and applicants.  Where we have strong ICR’s, we have strong programs.  It is also interesting to note that in the majority of the countries where ABF operates, we really only operate in (or receive applications from) one or two cities/regions in the country where there is an active Christian Science church or society.

Divine Love met our needs throughout the entire trip.  One favorite example was when our initial plans to drive from Yaoundé to Douala fell through.  The car and driver that had been hired to drive us between these cities abruptly cancelled and gave no reason.  Mr. Oliver, Founder and Executive Director of the Olialima Ecole Internationale de Musique, learned of our need and reserved four direct flight plane tickets from Yaoundé to Douala for $440 USD.  The was a perfect solution.  The previous night, Lamech and I found airline tickets between the two cities on the internet that were priced at $4,400 USD – or ten times as much!  When Mr. Oliver learned of our need, he used his local expertise to assist us.  Mr. Oliver even took a taxi to meet us at our hotel that morning, walked with us to get cash from an ATM, then walked with us to purchase the tickets at the nearby airline office.  Although Mr. Oliver is not a Christian Scientist, it was easy to see Divine Love expressed through him.  It should not be surprising that he has a Christian Science hymnal on his desk, which he uses with our ABF students that attend his school.

By the numbers, we:

• Visited six countries (Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo)
• Visited eleven Christian Science Churches and Societies
• Met with students from the Ndejje University CSO
• Shared information on ABF and answered questions with twelve separate groups of Christian Scientists
• Met, learned the stories of, and gathered feedback from 54 ABF beneficiaries (graduates and current students)
• Met with and interviewed 19 current and former ABF ICR’s
• Visited eleven universities and vocational schools
• Visited six primary schools and two secondary schools
• Shared Christian Science books and blue chalk with 13 Christian Science churches and societies & with two Christian Science schools
• Met with officials from three African banks

Through the many discussions with these individuals and groups, I have gathered over 150 pages of notes, suggestions, and recommendations.  Robin has a similar amount of notes.  The following are a few of the initial themes:

• Create an ABF African Alumni Association for our African Beneficiaries (AAAA).
• Investigate a method for former ABF Beneficiaries to financially donate to ABF in support of current African students.  Almost all of our former students do not have credit cards or checkbooks, so the current ABF methods used to solicit donations are unusable for them.
• Consider starting a pilot mentoring program for our African students, since employment after graduation is a significant issue.  This program would need to be led by a person in Africa.
• Better communication with students and alums using the WhatsApp mobile application.

On several occasions, I saw young children joyfully pushing a tire down their street (dirt road).  What a different and beautiful world!

Much Love,

Joe

First Church of Christ, Scientist, Yaoundé, Cameroon

February 22, 2023

Bonjour!
(We are now in Francophone Africa, Cameroon. Having finished our visits to Uganda, Kenya, and Ghana.)

Welcome back to my attempt to share highlights from our ABF trip through Africa! As I mentioned before, these are just shadows of the true experience. Also, let me be clear that these are my observations and do not reflect any official opinion of The Albert Baker Fund, its Trustees, or Staff.

To date, we have visited with and interviewed 27 ABF recent graduates and current students. There has been an overwhelming amount of gratitude shared by each student. Nearly all the ABF students and graduates we have met have found or been introduced to Christian Science during their lifetime. Thus, the vast majority of our ABF students and graduates are not “life-long” Christian Scientists and have their own story of how they came into Christian Science. These stories range from hearing the shortwave radio program sponsored by The Mother Church to an uncle of one of their friend’s sharing a copy of a Christian Science Journal with them to their parents learning of Christian Science and then sharing Christian Science with the family. The many stories I have heard of how each individual came to Christian Science have been truly inspiring. The practice of Christian Science by these individuals is inspiring.

The students in our ABF programs in Africa come from different backgrounds than the students in the United States and Canada. I am still processing what this means and how ABF can best meet the needs of both groups. That said, Monday evening, I finally met with an ABF student who told me she was born into Christian Science and another who was “still young” when her mother found Christian Science, so she was raised in the Sunday School and Christian Science. Hence, the current situation is changing and is also dynamic.

We brought over approximately 210 pounds of Christian Science books (and 30 sets of blue chalk – as requested) to share with local branch churches, societies, and Christian Science schools. So far, we have shared books with the Kampala Christian Science Society; Jinja Christian Science Society; First Church, Nairobi; Second Church, Accra; First Church, Accra; First Church, Yaoundé; Sunrise School (primary school in Kenya); and Three Rivers Academy (secondary school in Kenya). At each of these, we shared a presentation about ABF and answered questions. The presentations and Q&A typically last 1.5 hours. There are many questions! Tonight, we will attend the Wednesday Testimony Meeting at First Church, Douala.

We also brought 100 Albert Baker signature baseball caps to giveaway to our students and graduates. These have been quite well received. When coming through Customs into Uganda at the Kampala airport, the Customs Inspector asked to open my bag containing the hats and wanted to know more about the hats. Given the many and assorted things in our luggage, I was quite surprised that at 1am he would be interested in our hats! I explained they were gifts for our students and graduates, at which point he asked if he could have one. I said, “Of course.” So, should you travel into the Kampala airport, there is a chance you will see a Customs Inspector wearing an Albert Baker signature cap. Although I did not get a picture of him, I will include a few pictures of our graduates enjoying their new baseball caps.

The desire by ABF students, graduates, and ICR’s to meet with us is phenomenal. Two examples: a graduate who we supported in Togo now teaches in Accra. When he heard that ABF was visiting First Church, Accra, he requested permission to be excused from his teaching duties that day so he could meet us and offer his thanks. It gets better. One of our ICR’s, Williams Soulouck from Yaoundé, was married in a traditional marriage ceremony at his wife’s village on Saturday and still met with us on Sunday. Talk about dedication!

There are also numerous examples of Divine Love meeting ours and everyone’s needs. Challenges with VISA’s, Customs (beyond those with the hats), travel, missing luggage, and health have each been handled and overcome. Travel to and within Africa offers the opportunity to grow in one’s flexibility and resiliency and patience. I will be happy to share more examples when we offer a special Zoom meeting about the trip (probably in late April or May). If you doubt the veracity of this statement, please just ask anyone who has traveled in Africa!

Au revoir pour le moment!
(Goodbye for now!)

Avec amour,
Joseph

Hello! Habari! Chi!

Each evening, I think that this evening will be the evening when I will have time to write an update – and each evening seems to end 2-3 hours later than expected and the plans for tomorrow require my priority. So, I am taking advantage of the three-hour drive to Nanyuki to compose and send this update! We are passing Mount Kenya as I type this.

The Christian Science Organization at Ndejje University, Kampala, Uganda

In brief summary, our ABF African adventure has been a mixture of learning, inspiration, sadness, and overwhelming Love.

When I was asked by one of our Ugandan ABF students, how did I find Uganda? My answer was “Complex.”

Words and descriptions cannot do justice to the actual experience. It would be similar to trying to describe the Rocky Mountains or Great Barrier Reef to someone who has not been there. Actually, it is much more complex than that. That said, I will do my best to share some experiences and what I am learning.

The first lesson I have learned that in States, the scholarships ABF provides makes a difference in supporting our students. In Uganda, thescholarships that ABF provides makes a difference to not only the individual student, but also to the student’s family, friends, and community. The “Grandma” of the Jinja Christian Science society told me today that she (Anne Awori Osinde) was the greatest beneficiary of The Albert Baker Fund because of the blessings she has observed and received indirectly. Although Anne has not received any funding directly, ABF financially supported her daughter (Jackie) with her bachelors and masters degrees. Jackie’s education and abilities has resulted in progressively important career positions that subsequently has allowed Jackie to share her blessings with those around her. Beyond this, Jackie serves as the ABF In-Country Representative (ICR) for Uganda. Anne and Jackie came into Christian Science when Anne was healed of HIV/AIDS through Christian Science. Like I said above – this does not come close to speaking in-person with Jackie and Anne. And these are their stories to tell, not mine.

Let me try to share another example of another one of our graduates who was supported by ABF for both her bachelors and masters degrees. After being hired into a well-paying job, this graduate supported her four younger siblings’ education as well as supporting the education of her friend’s seven children. She has formed a savings group of fifteen women who collectively have saved 3,000,000 UGX (Uganda Schillings; $300,000 USD). After the successful execution of this group, she organized and joined a second group of eleven women who are saving following the same model. Aiding this ABF graduate has directly blessed another 35 people that I am aware of. There are very likely more who have been blessed because ABF funded this women’s education.

By the numbers, as of February 13 we have: Visited two countries (Uganda and Kenya) Visited three Christian Science Churches and Societies (Kampala, Jinja, Nairobi) Interviewed 17 ABF graduates and current students from Uganda (12) and Kenya (5) Met with and interviewed four ABF ICR’s (Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya-Nairobi, Kenya-Migori) Visited three primary schools and two secondary schools

We leave Kenya on Wednesday with our next stop in Accra, Ghana!

Much Love,

Joe

It’s happening!

The CEO of The Albert Baker Fund is returning to Africa this February!
In fact, we are enroute as I type this email.

Meeting at University of Ghana in Accra

Lamech Katamba, ABF African Regional Program Manager, and Dominique Beling, ABF African Applications Processing Agent, have organized a six-country visit for Robin Jones and me (Joe Ritter, CEO). We are all excited to share this amazing journey together.

As you may know, ABF provides scholarships to students who are Christian Scientists and are enrolled in university and vocational programs in thirteen African countries:
Benin, Burundi, Cameroon, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, and Zambia.

As the trip was unfolding, I asked Lamech to choose the top three countries for our visit. He chose six. If you know Lamech, you will agree that we are fortunate that he did not chose eight – or all thirteen! The six countries we will be visiting are Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, DRC, and the Republic of the Congo.

During this trip we expect to

1. Assess impact of ABF programs in Africa by gathering Input from students, churches, In-Country Representatives (ICR’s), and others
2. Assess effectiveness of ABF programs in Africa primarily through discussions with Lamech and Dominique, students, and ICR’s
3. Support Lamech and Dominique in their roles with ABF
4. Meet with and support ABF ICR’s
5. Meet with ABF partner organizations and university officials
6. Celebrate successes of the ABF Africa program and ABF African students
7. Gather videos, pictures, and stories of successful ABF African students

My plan is to send updates every two weeks, although I reserve the right to send more frequently should I be able.

All the best,
Joe

Dr. Joseph M. Ritter
Chief Executive Officer
The Albert Baker Fund
“Educating Christian Scientists, Blessing the World”

“My legal education and understanding of Christian Science enabled me… to have our church recognized as a legitimate religious organization.”
– Diana Nakawombe

Dear Friends,

It’s an hour before the Sunday-morning church service at the Christian Science Society in Kampala, Uganda, and no fewer than 15 members have arrived early to set up church on the 7th floor of a youth hostel where they meet each week. Floors must be swept, benches brought from other rooms and wiped down, 100 hymnals carried up from the first floor (no elevator here!), and the church sign put on the curb.

Placing the simple sandwich board sign on a busy street might be the finishing touch to prepare for the service, but to Christian Scientists in Kampala — and Diana Nakawombe, a 2019 Albert Baker Fund (ABF) law school graduate — it represents so much more!

Gaining legal status for her church

Due to the knowledge and skills Diana gained in law school at Uganda Christian University, Kampala’s Christian Science Society has received validation from the Uganda government that it is a legal church entity, with the right to use the name “Christian Science Society.”

Without being granted legal status, the Kampala Society would have been denied the use of its rightful name. With it, the church can open a bank account, purchase property, claim tax-exempt status — and even more importantly, the country of Uganda now recognizes the Kampala Society as a legitimate religious organization.

Diana’s education, as well as her experience as a class-taught Christian Scientist, was essential in guiding her church through the government’s complicated registration process.

Learning to become a more practical Christian

For Diana, the blessing began with finding Christian Science. “Before I found Christian Science, I had low self-esteem. But with Christian Science, I found truth, love, and understanding of my true nature. I loved the idea that Science and Health was the Key to the Scriptures. Fellow Christian Scientists taught me how to read and study the Bible using Science and Health, and I learned to be a more practical Christian.”

From law school to a Masters in Human Rights

When Diana was accepted into law school, The Albert Baker Fund was there to help pay her tuition for all four years.

“I am deeply grateful to ABF. Even with the generous scholarships I received, I needed to work two part-time jobs to cover school expenses. I am now pursuing a Masters in Human Rights and plan to pass the blessing forward by helping those in need.”

Diana’s story is just one example of how ABF scholarship recipients are using their education to bless church, community, and humanity, and how their education expands their influence for good far beyond what they might have thought possible.

Play a part in changing lives and blessing communities

You can play a part in changing lives and blessing communities by making a gift to fund a scholarship for a student living in Africa. These students greatly value their education and pass the blessing forward by helping others, and by actively participating in church activities. Your gift will be awarded 100% as a scholarship to a worthy student.

Thank you for joining with us to help more students such as Diana, who are called to put their faith and understanding into practice and bless others.

Make an online donation today!

With deep appreciation,

Joseph M. Ritter
Chief Executive Officer

Daniel Herbert
Chair, Board of Trustees

PS: Did you know, most of our Africa students can fund a whole year of education with a $900 scholarship from ABF?

PPS: Watch a video thank you from Diana

Dominique Bita’a Beling, Processing Agent for ABF Programs in Africa

Greetings, gratitude, and best wishes to each of you in your respective countries! Our thoughts and prayers are with you as we all embrace the world at this time.

I am writing to announce the change of ABF’s Africa Applications Processing Agent, (APA). You may know that our current APA, Mr. Jean Leonard (JL) Ngabo has entered the Christian Science Nursing ministry in the USA, which has been a cherished heart-felt desire for many years. We rejoice with JL in this beautiful unfoldment of opportunity to serve the Christian Science movement! Mr. Jean Leonard has given wonderful service for the last six years. and we will always consider him a member of The Albert Baker Fund family.

I am delighted to let you know that ABF has appointed Mr. Dominique Bita’a Beling, to succeed Mr. JL as the APA for Africa. Mr. Dominique was one of the first students to be assisted by the ABF in Douala, Cameroon. We are very grateful that he has agreed to work with us in this new capacity and are confident that he will continue the high standards of integrity and Christian care expressed by Mr. JL.

I know you will all enjoy working with Mr. Dominique, along with our longtime colleague, Lamech Katamba, who manages our Africa program and trains and supervises our 13 ICRs.

As always, we appreciate your continued support of our programs and students. Please join me in sending a heartfelt thank you to Mr. JL. and extending a warm welcome to Mr. Dominique.

With deep gratitude,

Dr. Joseph M. Ritter, Chief Executive Officer
The Albert Baker Fund